'Kuya' finally opens his house again

In a media conference on Thursday, held inside the "Pinoy Big Brother House" on Eugenio Lopez Jr. Drive in Diliman, Quezon City, Laurenti Dyogi, the head of Star Magic and the original creative genius behind the winning execution of "PBB's" Philippine franchise 19 years ago, led the official announcement of the much-awaited return of the thrilling reality TV competition this July.

The most famous house in the country, showbiz-wise, is set to open its doors again, welcoming a new batch of housemates for the 11th season of ABS-CBN's "Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11." The highly anticipated reality show is scheduled for a July 20 premiere and promises "to outdo" all other past editions.

To start with, a dynamic lineup of hosts has been placed in charge of the season, with mainstays Robi Domingo and Bianca Gonzalez ever-present, plus four of the most famous housemates joining them in the fun. A must-see event on its own, the homecoming of Kim Chiu, Enchong Dee, Alexa Ilacad, and Melai Cantiveros, who have all skyrocketed to fame since their time inside "Bahay ni Kuya," is fast approaching.

Together, this glittering roster is ready to introduce the new generation of PBB housemates, who will embark on a journey filled with challenges designed to test character and create genuine moments and unforgettable memories within the walls of the famous house.

Almost decided on this edition's contestants, Laurenti shared how the journey to becoming a housemate has proved more challenging this season. Ditto the task of choosing the best applicants.

With Cantiveros' help, Dyogi revealed that the number of individuals who wished to reside inside the PBB house reached a staggering 35,906, as recorded by StarHunt, the audition platform of ABS-CBN.

Of course, only a select few will make it to the final cut (Dyogi and the other powers that be can still change their minds within the next fortnight, apparently) for the rare opportunity to live inside the "PBB" house and be part of its 11th season.

The official housemates will be introduced to the public from July 15 to 19 over "Star Hunt: The Audition Show." This fresh concept will not only present the official housemates but also allow viewers to peek into the journey of thousands of hopefuls who moved heaven and earth for a spot in the "PBB" house as they showcase their stories and aspirations.

For nearly two decades, "Pinoy Big Brother" has introduced a diverse array of personalities to the public, each reflecting the true spirit of the Filipino. The show has not only changed the lives of its housemates but also made a lasting impact on viewers by celebrating the unique traits and resilience of the nation.

This is why it is no surprise that generations of Filipinos who grew up with the show can hardly wait to meet the new housemates and devotedly watch every episode and segment prepared by the production for Season 11.

Fans of the show should mark July 20 as a red-letter day, set their alarms to 10:15 p.m. from Monday to Friday and access the many platforms ready to carry the program. Choose from Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, TV5, and iWantTFC or all of them, with the addition of TV5 on weekends, to make sure they never miss a thing that goes on in Kuya's house.